Why does my buttocks hurt after a normal birth?

Giving birth is a process that all women have to go through. Although there will be labor pain during normal delivery, it will pass with proper patience. Moreover, from a medical point of view, natural birth has lower risks than caesarean section. After all, caesarean section is a surgery that requires a period of rest afterwards. So, what is the reason for the pain in the buttocks after a normal birth?

What is postpartum coccyx pain

The lowest part of the spine is the coccyx, which plays a vital role in the body. However, there is not much fat protecting the human coccyx, so it is very fragile and easily injured. When the coccyx or coccyx joint is directly injured, coccyx pain is likely to occur. In addition, if the mother's pelvis is relatively narrow, or the fetus's head is too large, the coccyx is likely to be squeezed when the fetus's head passes through the birth canal, and the nearby muscles will also be damaged to a certain extent.

Causes of postpartum coccyx pain

Most of the time, it is because the fetus passes through the placenta during delivery, causing injury to the pelvic floor muscles and coccyx. It is recommended to rest in bed more. If there is no effect, it is best to have another check-up.

This pain is more likely to occur if the fetus is too large, the mother's pelvis is too small, or the labor takes too long. This is because the mother's coccyx is forced to move, the periosteum is inflamed, or the nerves are compressed. In addition, it may also be caused by excessive pressure on the coccyx by the fetal presenting part. In the early stage, it is recommended to rest in bed and take some painkillers appropriately; in the later stage, you can do more exercise to help recover as soon as possible, usually you can recover in a few weeks.

There are many causes of coccygeal pain. In clinical practice, we are used to dividing it into two categories:

1. True coccydynia: The pain comes from the coccyx itself, for example, the pain caused by a coccyx fracture due to a fall.

2. Pseudo coccydynia: The pain comes from outside the coccyx, such as pelvic inflammation, tumors and diseases of the urogenital system.

Anatomy of the coccyx: The coccyx is usually composed of three to four small bones, and its proximal end is connected to the sacrum by fibrocartilage. Usually the range of motion of this joint is greater in women than in men, especially during pregnancy. The coccyx itself has the coccygeal ligament, gluteus maximus, coccygeal muscles, anal sphincter and levator ani muscles attached to it. In men, the coccyx is located higher than the ischial tuberosity, providing better protection when hit. On the contrary, in women, the coccyx is relatively easy to be bruised when falling because the pelvis is wider and flatter.